1. The first week after her daughter's birth goes surprisingly well for Victoria. What makes Victoria feel unable to care for her child after that week ends? And what allows her to ultimately rejoin her family? The baby needs more than Victoria feels she can give which makes Victoria feel inadequate. She feels that she has to get away from the baby. So she leaves the baby crying and she feels terrible. Victoria never feels capable of being able to give love and receive love. She realizes that she is capable and her past mistakes don't have to define her future.
2. The novel touches on many themes (love, family, forgiveness, second chances). Which do you think is the most important? And what did you think was ultimately the book's lesson? All of the books themes are important. I believe love is the most important because it is the basis for all the other themes. Love is key in being in a family, forgiving, and getting second chances. Love breaks all barriers. The book's lesson is to believe in yourself and don't let your past define you. Once realizes she doesn't have to live by what has happened in the past she can move on and learn to love her family.
3. Based on your reading of the novel, what are your impressions of the foster-care system in America? What could be improved? The foster-care system has cracks in it and some kids like Victoria fall through it. Some people abuse the system only seeing the kids as a paycheck. The system is flawed mostly for kids who get a certain age and are lost in the system. More effort could be focused on helping these kids be more successful when they become adults.
4. Victoria and Elizabeth both struggle with the idea of being part of a family. What does it mean to you to be part of a family. What defines family? Being a part of a family is like having an enormous support system that helps each other through life's ups and downs. Family doesn't have to be blood-related they just have to love and support each other.
5. What potential do Elizabeth, Renata, and Grant see in Victoria that she has a hard time seeing in herself? Because of the years she spent feeling unwanted and unloveable she think she doesn't deserve to be loved or to be a part of a family. Elizabeth, Grant, and Renata try to show Victoria that she is wanted and is accepted into their family. Victoria thinks she will mess up anyone she tries to love. But they believe that she is capable of being anything she wants to be.
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